First handgun purchase

Depends. Have you held or fired one? Berretta's are good, but have you held or fired any others? Best take a look at the CZ's, Glocks, HK's, Sigs, and Rugers. There are others, such as the Kimber that are fine guns as well. Go to a range and fire/handle as many as you can and pick the one with the best feel and fit. Good luck!
 
Beretta was my first gun, and I still have it and love it. Extremely reliable and fairly accurate. However, I'd advise you against it since you say that you want to use it for CCW. The Beretta is big and heavy for CCW. Tough to conceal. It's a full sized gun.

Better bets for hi-cap 9mm's to carry are the mid-sized guns, my favorite being the Walther P99 with the Glock 19/23 being a close runner up. Other honorable mentions are the USP Compact, Sig 228/229, etc. They're all smaller and lighter than the Beretta, and much easier to carry.
 
Since the location in NYC I betting its a permit to own/purchase rather then to carry.

Take a look at the CZ 75B SA, pretty sweet.
 
I really don't see any reference to getting a concealed carry permit. In New York City, IIRC one needs to have a permit for each and every gun they are to purchase.

A fine handgun. If you have medium or larger sized hands the grip size should be fine for you. Mine has been reliable and accurate. It eats everything I feed it. It never jams, misfeeds, or hiccups. Easy to fieldstrip. The choise I made for my first handgun.
 
Especially take a look at the Sig-Sauer "Classic" P-series line;
as they are some of the most handsome firearm's ever to be
found.:D :) :cool:

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
It's gotta be tough living in NYC when you want a firearm....this is why I moved a loooong time ago. :) .... although I miss all the good eats around the lower east side.

One of my first handguns was a Beretta 92compact....in fact I traded it for an Inox (SS) 92FS about 5 years ago. Berettas are nice pistols, but knowing now what know, I'd suggest you look long and hard at the Sig classic series...they shoot a bit better than the Beretta IMHO and can be had in different sizes/models depending on your preferences. Also look at the HK USP series, especially if you'd consider a .45acp.

I;m not trashing the Beretta. In fact, I cannot get rid of it, no matter how hard I try. I guess it retains some sentimental value to me. But it does have a largish grip for a 9mm, it is long and heavy, which is a good thing in a range gun. Then again I'm assuming CCW is a non-issue in NYC. Also, for the life of me I cannot get my SS92FS to group well at all. The trigger has never felt 'right' to me.

Good luck and eat a knish for me!
 
Nothing wrong with the SS 92. Permit to own or permit to carry? The 92 is on the bigger side of the handgun scale to conceal but it can be done, I conceal my 92 Brig, it is all relative. I say get it. They are nice, reliable, and rugged pistols.

Mike
 
Thanks guys. I havent had a chance to fire many handguns yet so I figured I would go with a military favorite. It is a "premise" license only. There is no CCW in new york city unless you are some wealthy elitist (a gaurd can protect his employers money but a mother cant defend her children... it is against the law to defend your life on the streets of NYC).
Check this out: went to one police plaza to pick up the application, $275 for the NYPD and $75 for the criminal justice dept. No refunds if denied a permit :eek: Im hoping to leave NYC in 2 years, God willing. There is freedom and the illusion of freedom. We are not free here in NYC.
 
My second pistol was a Beretta 92. I bought it because the military switched to them. It was DA/SA I didn't like it. I didn't like the long hard DA first shot. The SA was good. But you have 2 different trigger pulls. For a first handgun I wouldn't recommend a DA/SA pistol. Most firearm instructors recommend a revolver as the first handgun. With that in mind try a Glock-17 get the NY trigger spring that gives a long hard DA type trigger pull for each shot. Then as you gain experience you can switch to the standered 5.5 # trigger. Then after yet more experience finaly the 3.5 # trigger.
 
Geez, that's even more than CANADA! (no offense) :D

As for your first gun, be sure to try out everything, but here are some quickie tips I live by (do not feel obliged to take them seriously):

1. PLAY WITH THE TRIGGER. I can't stress this enough... good trigger pull is absolutely essential for accuracy if you're not very experienced in shooting, especially if it's a range gun. Take into consideration if it's DA/SA, DAO, SAO, or whatnot. If it's a defense gun, you should still take it into consideration, but not as much as the next two.

2. Buy for reliability/durability. There's nothing more frustrating than a gun that can't cycle your shots, and there's nothing more life-threatening than a gun that doesn't go "bang" when your life is on the line.

3. Buy for ergonomics/looks. Comfort is essential, but I didn't need to tell you that. A friend once told me, there's no point in buying a gun that you can shoot well with but think looks like ass - you'll only be frustrated and preoccupied with your purchase, and other things, like concentration, won't be able to follow.

Since you can't go CCW, you may as well go for the size that fits you best instead of one you can conceal more easily, and any big-name pistol should give you everything you need.

Just as a personal note: I originally liked the Beretta a lot, but I found the trigger pull to be absolutely horrendous... some people love it, others hate it, but that's probably the only reason I left you with that first tip :)

Good luck and safe shooting!
 
Kel-Tec p-11.... people used to relocate for job reasons ... now its because of restrictive gun laws??? Come to Texas, CCP for 4 years of $140. One day class. Went to NY once on business, great food, came back ...'don't fence me in'.
Tom
 
If you have short fingers like me try brownings (hipower) or magnum research Baby Eagle. They both come it 9mm or .40 and there are many available used (esp Brownings). If you have big hands try Beretta, 1911's, or big glocks. Just a starting point.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top